Bowling Green city, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Bowling Green city is a small community located in Missouri. The total population is 4,130. It ranks as the 174th most populous out of 1,062 cities and towns in Missouri.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bowling Green city is 37.1 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bowling Green city is $51,675. This is 25% lower than the state median of $68,920. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 34% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.1%. This is 67% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.7%. This is 87% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $116,400. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $215,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Bowling Green city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 67.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Bowling Green city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.1%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.1%.

Education

12.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% lower than the state rate of 31.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bowling Green city, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. For official data, visit data.census.gov.